Current Events

  • Atmospheric CO2 Level Tops 400 ppm
    During the week of May 13th, the CO2 level at the Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii topped 400 ppm rep...Read more

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    Atmospheric CO2 Level Tops 400 ppm

    During the week of May 13th, the CO2 level at the Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii topped 400 ppm repeatedly. Daily levels of CO2 can vary due to weather, and there are seasonal trends as well. The level of atmospheric greenhouse gases continues to increase, now over 120 ppm since the Industrial Revolution began. For more on the Keeling Curve, see http://keelingcurve.ucsd.edu/. Find out more about greenhouse gases and warming.
  • Massive Tornado Outbreak on Tornado Alley
    The week of May 19 brings dozens of tornadoes to Tornado Alley in the states of Oklahoma, Kansas, Io...Read more

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    Massive Tornado Outbreak on Tornado Alley

    The week of May 19 brings dozens of tornadoes to Tornado Alley in the states of Oklahoma, Kansas, Iowa, Illinois and Missouri. On May 20th, a massive tornado struck Moore, Oklahoma, devastating communities - destroying over 100 homes and hitting two elementary schools and a hospital - with many casualties and deaths. Our thoughts are with our friends and colleagues suffering from these storms. For more on the May 20th storms, see the NOAA Storm Prediction Center Storm Report.
  • Kansas Legislator Proposes Bill to Outlaw Sustainability Education
    A bill has been introduced in the Kansas legislature this week that would prohibit the promotion of ...Read more

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    Kansas Legislator Proposes Bill to Outlaw Sustainability Education

    A bill has been introduced in the Kansas legislature this week that would prohibit the promotion of sustainability. Here is a link to the one-page bill: http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2013_14/measures/documents/hb2366_00_0000.pdf. See report on Bloomberg News.
Warm ocean waters fuel hurricanes. There was plenty of warm water for Hurricane Katrina to strengthen once it moved into the Gulf of Mexico.
Courtesy of NASA

The 2005 Hurricane Season Is Churning the Atlantic
News story originally written on September 16, 2005

The hurricane season in the North Atlantic is particularly strong this year. And scientists predict that the storms will be getting stronger because of global warming. Follow the links below to find out more.

Windows to the Universe Hurricane Links:
What Is a Hurricane?
Why Are Hurricanes Increasing in Strength and Frequency?
How Hurricanes Form
Eyes and Eyewalls
Hurricane Movement
Hurricane Forecasts
Storm Surge
Hurricane Damage


NCAR Kids’ Crossing Hurricane Links:
Hurricanes Impact Our Lives
Surviving Hurricane Carla, a Story by Carol Park
How Hurricanes Form
Make a Model of Storm Surge
Hurricane Safety

Hurricane Strike!
Hurricane science and safety for students

Last modified September 16, 2005 by Lisa Gardiner.

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